How to Handle Rifle and Shotgun Recoil by Selecting the Best Shoulder, Cheek, Leather or Gel Pads

“Recoil doesn’t bother me a bit,” is a phrase commonly heard among some shooters. However, these shooters have probably not experienced heavy recoil for extended periods, such as when firing in a Long Range Target or Black Powder Cartridge Rifle Silhouette match. Many traditional rifles and shotguns deliver recoil that is noticeably felt when fired. That is either because they shoot very heavy bullets or because their traditionally shaped crescent buttplates pass felt recoil on to the shooter more than modern style flat buttplates.

The fact is that recoil is the number one detriment to precision shooting. Fortunately, there are many items that help make long days of shooting more comfortable.

Recoil pads for shotguns and rifles come in two basic types with several sub-variations, including placement (e.g. shoulder or cheek) and material (e.g. leather recoil pads or gel recoil pads). The two basic types include recoil pads that go on the rifle and recoil pads that go on the shooter.

What you should know about recoil pads for shotguns and rifles:

Recoil pads that go onto rifles come in a wide variety and most can be easily slipped off of one rifle or shotgun and right onto another. The most basic is the PQ Shooter’s Friend Recoil Pad. It is produced of a synthetic material and slips over the buttstock of most long guns. Some companies also offer semi-permanent add-on recoil pads. These are designed to slip over the buttstock and lace together for a tight, no-slip fit.

What you should know about recoil pads for shooters:

If you use a wide variety of rifles or shotguns, using a pad that straps onto your shoulder is a better, more efficient idea that trying to purchase accessory recoil pads for every shoulder fired gun in your collection. At times you may desire to have the recoil pad concealed, such as when wearing a costume in cowboy competition. Look for pads that can be affixed inside clothing by safety pins and/or Velcro. They are good choices because they are easily removed when not needed.

You might wonder why the fact that some recoil pads can be removed quickly is considered beneficial. A recoil pad that gives the proper stock length in summer clothing may make that same stock too long for comfortable shooting when heavier clothing is worn. Also, a recoil pad that makes stock fit proper when the shooter is in prone position could make it too lengthy when shooting is done from standing, offhand position.

Consult an expert to select the best recoil pads for your needs

Remember, you can avoid the pain and irritation of recoil with the use of an appropriate recoil pad. There are many options for recoil pads including pads for shooters, shotguns and rifles. Additionally, you can purchase gel or leather recoil pads. Buffalo Arms is a company that specializes in old west gear. They have a wide selection of products that offer protection against traditionally shaped buttplates. Moreover, experts at their company are knowledgeable and can help you select the best recoil pad for your needs.

Buffalo Arms offers two versions of slip-on recoil pads, a standard version of genuine cowhide and a deluxe version with higher quality leather. Both of these slip-on butt pads are secured with Velcro and can be removed in seconds.

In addition to bruised and sore shoulders caused by rifles and shotguns of heavy recoil, there can also be the problem of bruised and/or irritated cheeks. For this reason Buffalo Arms also offers two more types of strap on, soft leather recoil pads. Their basic Cheek Saver 2000 pad straps over your rifle or shotgun stock so that the 1/8 inch thick inside pad softens the blow delivered by a rifle or shotgun’s comb to your cheek and jaw. It secures with Velcro and can be removed in seconds. Buffalo Arms also catalogs a Cheek Save/Comb Combination Pad. A ¾ inch AKTON pad is located inside a suede cover that will raise the comb of a rifle or shotgun, not only giving a better fit, but protecting your face.

Let the experts at Buffalo Arms Company help you pick recoil pads so that your rifle or shotgun’s recoil does not prevent you from reaching your best shooting potential. To get more information on recoil pads for shotguns, rifles and shooters, visit www.buffaloarms.com or call (208) 263-6953.